Bantoanon devotees of San
Nicolas de Tolentino in Metro Manila and nearby provinces gather once more at
MataasNaKahoy, Lipa, Batangas for the 17th staging of Biniray to celebrate the feast day
of their beloved patron. The affair will be highlighted by a mass in honor of St. Nicholas
and the biniray proper. Social activities will follow which include the search for the
Biniray 99 couple, a raflle, and rites for the Biniray 99 Awards.

More than five hundred heads
are expected to attend this years edition of the annual celebration resulting from
the Executive Committees intensified campaign for involvement and participation and
the utilization of the latest communications media including the Internet.

The Executive Committee,
headed by Mr. & Mrs. Rinzi F. Fadrilan, introduced innovations to the Biniray
celebration: the Medical Mission and the Biniray 99 awards. The Executive Committee
has also set a Grand Tipon (General Assembly) for Bantoanons as part of its organizational
development activities. This years leadership saw the need for Biniray to have a
legal personality. This would help future leaders in raising funds for the celebration
more effectively.

The Biniray, launched in
1993, has attracted more and more Bantoanons and devotees each year. The affair has not
only become a venue for reverence to the patron saint but also for renewing and
strengthening ties with fellow Bantoanons.

BANTON OBSERVES
PATRONAL CELEBRATION

Banton observed its patronal
celebration in honor of St. Nicholas de Tolentino last September 9-10 with same activities
undertaken last year. The celebration, themed "Fiesta for Spiritual Renewal and
Social Development", was led by the following fiesta officials: Poblacion Brgy. Capt.
Johnny F. Fabic, chairman; Coun. Berlita Fajiculay, vice chairman; Romulo A. Faz, Sr.,
secretary; Danny Job Fabul, treasurer; Gresilda Fetalvero and Engr. Jerry Fadrilan,
auditors; and Decoroso Fadri, press relation officer. The biniray and procession in honor
of the patron saint highlighted the pious part of the celebration, while the crowning of
the beauties served as the culminating social affair.

Chastine Fesalbon, the town
fiesta queen, was given the title "Miss Banton 1999" while Nina Fajiculay and
Claire Faigao, first and second princess respectively, were accorded the titles "Miss
Biniray 1999" and "Miss Sports 1999", respectively.

The presentation and
selection program for the Search for Miss Banton 1999, was held at the towns Public
Theater and Yagting Dance Garden and Basketball Court last August 21. Special awards were
also given. "Best in Sportswear" and "Most Talented" went to Chastine
Fesalbon. "Best in Gown" was copped by Claire Faigao while Nina Fajiculay was
the "Best in Casual Wear".

Decoroso Fadri, chairman of
the Beauty Contest Committee, Shirley Morada and Rosilly Fegalan acted as emcees while
Romulo A. Faz, Sr. and Tessie Fajut served as the masters of ceremonies in the ballroom
dancing that followed.

REGIONAL TEAM
REVALIDATES BANTON
by R.omulo Faz, Sr.

The regional Evaluation Team
of Region IV on the Clean and Green project of the national government visited and
revalidated Banton which was declared by the Provincial Evaluation Team of Romblon as the
cleanest and greenest municipality in the province. The team, together with the provincial
evaluation team members arrived at the municipality on August 19, 1999 and left for the
provincial capital town early in the morning of the following day. Its stint in the
municipality was spent in going around the town and visiting the barangays of Lagang,
Tumalum, Hambi-an, Toctoc, Togbongan, Nabalay, Sibay, Libtong and Nasunogan. The team was
headed by Dolly V. Masinag and Remedios Alejandro from the regional office. Joining them
were Senia Oņas, secretary of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan - Romblon; Anita Gadon and
Elsa Fabon who were not part of the provincial inspection team which adjudged Banton as
the cleanest and greenest municipality in the province. In the evening, both the regional
and provincial evaluation teams were entertained in a dinner and ballroom dancing. The
affair was jointly managed by Mayor Patrocinio F. Ferrera, over-all chairman of the
Municipal Clean and Green Committee; Dr. Aida Fetizanan, chairman of the Clean Committee;
Mr. Simplicio Fabonan, chairman of the Green Committee; and Romulo A. Faz, Sr.,
president of the Banton Government Officials and Employees Association (BAGOFEA).

PROVINCIAL FEDERATION
OF TANODS ORGANIZED
by Romulo A. Faz, Sr.

The Provincial Federation of
Barangay Tanods of Romblon was organized in Dapawan, Odiongan, Romblon during its election
meeting held lat August 17. Attended by eight presidents of Municipal Barangay Tanods in
their respective municipalities, the election meeting was conducted by C/INSP Jovito
Formon de Villa who is presently Provincial Mobile Group Director. Elected officers of the
Federation were Metrono Megallon (Romblon), president; Napoleon Firmalo (Odiongan), vice
president; Pedro Urbina (Looc), secretary; Eduardo Abello (San Agustin), treasurer; Rudy
Gadon (San Andres), auditor; Efren Fajura (Banton), business manager; Hipolito Hervacio
(Ferrol), press relation officer; and Danny Lorenzo (Calatrava), sentinel. The
municipalities of Concepcion, Corcuera, San Jose, Sta. Fe, Cajidiocan, San Fernando,
Magdiwang and Sta. Maria did not send their representatives to the said meeting.

COA DIRECTOR SPEAKS AT CONFERENCE
By Romulo A. Faz, Sr.

A conference on auditing
problems was held in the session hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the Capitol
Building in Romblon, Romblon last June 8. The conference was attended by heads of
municipal, provincial and national government offices and agencies with Dir. Tito S.
Nabua, Regional Director of the Commission on Audit in Region IV, as the speaker and
discussant. Messages were delivered by Gov. Perpetuo B. Ylagan and Congressman Eleandro
Jesus F. Madrona, while Vice-Gov. Jose Fonte had the welcome remarks. The other important
numbers in the program were the opening remarks by Mayor Francisco L. Solis of Romblon,
Romblon; presentation of participants and guests by SP Member Samuel R. Romero; and
closing remarks by Ms. Concepcion M. Caldit, provincial auditor.

Mrs. Senia G. Onas, secretary
to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, acted as master of ceremonies. Meanwhile, Mr. Puentesor
Fortu, former provincial auditor of Romblon, is presently provincial auditor of Oriental
Mindoro and assistant regional director of the Commission on Audit in Region IV.

AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS
BLESSED
Romulo A. Faz, Sr.

Two completely finished
agricultural projects of the municipal government of Banton, Romblon were blessed by Rev.
Fr. Gines R. Boada, Yagting's parish priest, last June l0. Blessed were the town's public
market and the Bantay-Dagat speedboat with the presence of government officials and
employees. The blessing was followed by cutting of ribbon by Mayor Patrocinio Ferrera and
Vice-Mayor Rolo Fainsan. The public market had a total construction cost of P l9l,5l8.44,
while the speedboat cost P50,372.00. Now, both projects are open and ready for service.
The speedboat is used in patrolling around the municipality's shores and in monitoring
illegal fishing activities by transient fishermen within the territorial sea waters of the
island-municipality.

PNP RETIREES AND OIC
HONORED
Romulo A. Faz, Sr.

Two recently retired PNP
members and an OIC of the office of the Chief of Police of Banton, Romblon were honored by
the Banton Government Officials and Employees Association (BAGOFEA) during its despedida
and welcome party and dance held at the third floor of the Municipal Building last June
11. Honored were Police Inspector Benjamin Famatigan and SPO4 Gerardo M. Ibabao, and SPO3
Fernando M. Faigao as OIC of the COP's office. The retirees, who were following up for the
release of their retirement pay, were represented in the occasion by their wife and
daughter, respectively, while the OIC was conspicuously present and enjoyed himself much
dancing. Mayor Patrocinio F. Ferrera presented to each of the retirees a Plaque of
Appreciation. She appreciated them for having reached their retirement age and advised
them to spend their money wisely with reservation for the twilight years of their lives.
She likewise congratulated OIC Faigao but challenged him to do his level best for the
general welfare of the island-municipality of Banton. For his part, the BAGOFEA president
said that retirement is an enviable achievement record, sparkling fulfillment of one's
dream, and a happy termination of his service in a public or private office. And to attain
it, every public and private employee should take good care of his health by drinking
liquor moderately, refraining from smoking, avoiding drug abuse, and avoiding spending the
nights in gambling places. The dance happily ended at ll:00 o'clock in the evening amidst
the enjoyment and satisfaction of all the attendees.

BANTON PARISH HOSTS DIOCESAN SYNOD

The Diocese of Romblon will hold its Diocesan
Synod to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year in the Parish of St. Nicholas de
Tolentino. The bishop, priests, religious and lay and witness this momentous event.

Preparation and solicitation
of funds to support this event is on-going. Brother Alejandro Fababeir serves as the PCL
Coordinator. He is appealing for financial support from Bantoanons outside of the island.

Fr. Gines Boada is presently the Parish
Priest of Banton

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED
Romulo A. Faz,Sr.

The country's Independence
Day was celebrated in Banton, Romblon last June 12 with simple but appropriate, meaningful
and colorful activities. The celebration was started with a civic parade around the town's
main thoroughfares which was cooperatively participated in by government officials,
employees, teachers, students and pupils from the different schools in the district, and
wound up in the public plaza where some numbers on the program were staged. After an
invocation was said by Mr. Aguinaldo Fietas, in representation of the parish priest, the
national anthem was sung under the baton of Mrs. Leticia Fainsan, while Mayor Patrocinio
Ferrera and Vice-Mayor Rolo Fainsan hoisted the National Flag. Thereafter followed the
panunumpa sa watawat.

A floral offering was made on
the foot of the Jose Rizal monument by BNHS students and beauties led by Dishabel Marie
Fatallo, "Miss Independence Day"; Chastine Dayan Fesalbon, "Miss
Luzon"; Lolita Faz, "Miss Visayas"; and Maria Glendy Faderon, "Miss
Mindanao". The program was continued at the GLF Memorial Theater, which was composed
of talks, creative, folk and modern dances contributed by the myriad elementary and
secondary schools and government offices. Mrs. Glorita Fano, a faculty member of the BNHS,
was the guest of honor and speaker who spoke with relevance to the celebration theme:
"Ang Pangkabuhayang Kaunlaran sa ika sangdaan at isang taon ng Kalayaan ng
Pilipinas". Mrs. Majella F. Falquerabao was the master of ceremonies.

ROMBLON HEALTH PERSONNEL ATTEND SEMINARS

The health personnel in Romblon
province: doctors, nurses, midwives, barangay health workers, and hilots attend seminars
on their respective schedules starting February l999 to 2l May l999, inclusive, in Romblon
and Odiongan towns. The seminar was under the Women's Health and Safe Motherhood
project/program whose goal is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. The objectives
of the seminar were: l) to improve quality and range of women's health and safe motherhood
service; 3) to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of health interventions
through partnership among NGOs and local communities; and 4) to expand their knowledge.
Banton was represented in the seminar by Dr. Aida Fetizanan, rural health physician; Mrs.
Felome F. Fadri, public health nurse; Mrs. Tessie Fajut, Mrs. Herminia M. Ferrer, Mrs.
Luningning Festin, Mrs. Benilda P. Famorcan, and Mrs. Lomelyn F. Fiecas, midwives; and by
some barangay health workers and hilots. The seminar was funded by the World Bank, Asian
Development Bank, KFW-Government of Germany, European Community, and the Ausaid.
Meanwhile, Banton was chosen as a pilot area of the project/program, for she has a
renovated RMU Building in the Poblacion and another in barangay Nasunogan, whose
construction costs were provided by the said project/program. -Romulo A. Faz, Sr.

1999
DISTRICT QUIZ BEE HELDJene Maloh Famadico

On August 13, 1999, the District Quiz Bee was held at the
Banton Central School. It was participated in by the eight elementary schools in the
district: Banton Central (BCS), Banice (BES), Tungonan (TES), Libtong (LES), Nasunogan
(NES), Tumalum-Lagang (TLPS), Tan-ag and Balogo (BPS). The subjects contested were
Science, Philippine History and Culture, Mathematics, English and Spelling. Each school is
represented by two contestants for every subject contested.

In the DOST competition, Reynaldo Potot of
Tungonan under Virgilio Faigao was declared champion. Shiela Fababeir of Banice won the
second place.

The one-day affair was managed by Cherry Fabellon
and Melita Martinquilla of Banton Central School. Several committees were created to
assist them in the varied activities related to the affair.

The Division Quiz Bee was held at Looc, Romblon
last Sept. 6.

SILAK acknowledges and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude
for the financial support of the ever-benevolent Eutiquio F. Famatigan to the
publication.

BANTOANON IN WHOS WHO IN THE WORLD

Marquis
Whos Who in the World has included a Bantoanon, multi-awarded Davao photographer
Evangelino F.Famarin.

Famarin was included in the latest edition of the "Whos Who in
the World" in the field of photography. The artist photographer has been engaged in
photography and has won in 26 photo competitions nationally and internationally, making
him part of the record. Famarin won six international photo competitions, six Asean photo
contest and 14 national photo contests. Famarin was formerly a college instructor of
University of Mindanao in Davao City, teaching art education, humanities, practical arts
and other subjects. He is presently teaching in the Division of City Schools of Dipolog
and at the same time participating in local, national and international photo contests. (More of Evangelino Famarin in Bantoanons Here,
There and Everywhere.)